How much should I take stock in daily temperature charting?

The RE's at my hospital told me they don't think temperature readings are useful, but others have said they are very important. Who should I believe? Should I disregard that advice or change my RE ASAP? Maybe that's why I'm still unsuccessful. They don't seem to think that a lot of the blood work is important either!

The RE's at my hospital told me they don't think temperature readings are useful, but others have said they are very important. Who should I believe? Should I disregard that advice or change my RE ASAP? Maybe that's why I'm still unsuccessful. They don't seem to think that a lot of the blood work is important either!

I'm not sure what the answer is as far as overall effectiveness for everyone goes. I know for me, personally, charting helped show ovulation on some cycles, and showed me clearly when I had anovulatory cycles. I also used a CBE fertility monitor that confirmed the chart findings, so I'm pretty sure they were correct. My RE, however, told me not to do it anymore b/c they would be monitoring all of that for me, and it would only serve to add more stress to me. She also said that a lot of women come in with what appear to be ovulatory charts when they are actually anovulatory, and also the other way around. I know people who go to other REs, and their doctor's have them chart, but they do less monitoring. Are your REs doing any monitoring to check for ovulation? Â Sara

I'm not sure what the answer is as far as overall effectiveness for everyone goes. I know for me, personally, charting helped show ovulation on some cycles, and showed me clearly when I had anovulatory cycles. I also used a CBE fertility monitor that confirmed the chart findings, so I'm pretty sure they were correct. My RE, however, told me not to do it anymore b/c they would be monitoring all of that for me, and it would only serve to add more stress to me. She also said that a lot of women come in with what appear to be ovulatory charts when they are actually anovulatory, and also the other way around. I know people who go to other REs, and their doctor's have them chart, but they do less monitoring. Are your REs doing any monitoring to check for ovulation? Â Sara

In my opinion, the RE primary responsibility is to get you pregnant by taking on most of the monitoring procedures. That is the best way for them to narrow down the underlying issues. If they think that they don't need to monitor you more closely yet you hadn't gotten any success yet, then you need another RE. It is wasting time and time is what we don't have a lot of if we're over 30.

In my opinion, the RE primary responsibility is to get you pregnant by taking on most of the monitoring procedures. That is the best way for them to narrow down the underlying issues. If they think that they don't need to monitor you more closely yet you hadn't gotten any success yet, then you need another RE. It is wasting time and time is what we don't have a lot of if we're over 30.

You should keep in mind that everyone's situation is slightly different and doctors take that into consideration with their treatment plan for you. Â I know my GYN wanted me to begin with charting my temps last Nov. to see if I was ever ovulating. Â I have since switched to an RE about 6 months ago. Â The RE has implied that I could chart if I want, but they will not really use it since it can be so subjective. Â Instead, they are doing more hardcore monitoring with ultrasounds and OPKs. Â I have gotten into such a habit of taking my temp each morning it has become routine to me. Â When I did/do ovulate (either by shot or a distinct positive OPK) I did not always see a shift in temps since it can be so subjective. Â As far as the blood work, it could be worth asking about why they choose not to do it, but I know for myself they only did blood work once to see if in fact I did ovulate. Â I only had that done once during 3 cycles. Â Again, much of the blood work depends on what your initial fertility problem might be. Â I would keep in mind that every woman on this board is different and one persons post might not be the same fertility problem as yourself. Â I have even found myself going nuts reading other posts wondering why one RE does one thing and why mine might not. Â Just really take everything you read/hear with a grain of salt.Good luck!

You should keep in mind that everyone's situation is slightly different and doctors take that into consideration with their treatment plan for you. Â I know my GYN wanted me to begin with charting my temps last Nov. to see if I was ever ovulating. Â I have since switched to an RE about 6 months ago. Â The RE has implied that I could chart if I want, but they will not really use it since it can be so subjective. Â Instead, they are doing more hardcore monitoring with ultrasounds and OPKs. Â I have gotten into such a habit of taking my temp each morning it has become routine to me. Â When I did/do ovulate (either by shot or a distinct positive OPK) I did not always see a shift in temps since it can be so subjective. Â As far as the blood work, it could be worth asking about why they choose not to do it, but I know for myself they only did blood work once to see if in fact I did ovulate. Â I only had that done once during 3 cycles. Â Again, much of the blood work depends on what your initial fertility problem might be. Â I would keep in mind that every woman on this board is different and one persons post might not be the same fertility problem as yourself. Â I have even found myself going nuts reading other posts wondering why one RE does one thing and why mine might not. Â Just really take everything you read/hear with a grain of salt.Good luck!

My doctor told me flat out to stop charting and to follow his calendar with BD'ing and we should be covered. He said he did not want me adding stress. That he understood that I was ready to be pregnant, but to trust him & I do. He said doing all the temping and opks etc causing stress & that's not good while trying to conceive. It was a real relief when he made my calendar and told me to just do like it says and then call on this date after you've taken your pregnancy test. He said if it was positive he'd put me on progesterone right away (I'm currently on my first month of metformin & clomid). If it was negative, he'd have me come in to follow up and to discuss our next step.

My doctor told me flat out to stop charting and to follow his calendar with BD'ing and we should be covered. He said he did not want me adding stress. That he understood that I was ready to be pregnant, but to trust him & I do. He said doing all the temping and opks etc causing stress & that's not good while trying to conceive. It was a real relief when he made my calendar and told me to just do like it says and then call on this date after you've taken your pregnancy test. He said if it was positive he'd put me on progesterone right away (I'm currently on my first month of metformin & clomid). If it was negative, he'd have me come in to follow up and to discuss our next step.

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